Edith questions her faith in God after a robbery leaves Mike injured and family friend, Beverly LaSalle (the female impersonator from a previous episode where Archie reels over the fact that the woman he rescued was actually a man in drag) killed.
Tropes associated with this episode
- Christmas Episode: Set in December. Have we told you yet that Christmas with the Bunkers is bound to be a sad, downbeat or controversial time of the year, and not the happy, joyous occasion as you might see on The Waltons or The Brady Bunch? Anyhow, this Christmas, Archie and Gloria both agree that the only reason they're even celebrating Christmas this year, is for the sake of Mike and Gloria's baby son Joey, who's too young to understand what's going on.
- Crisis of Faith and Evil Stole My Faith: The major driver of this two-part Very Special Episode's plot: Edith — the strongest, most steadfastly Christian in the family, witnesses a brutal robbery and the death of the Bunkers' and Stivics' friend, Beverly LaSalle. When she can't get a good explanation about why God didn't stop the robbery, she decides God — especially one that let this happen — isn't worth worshipping.
- Mike reminds us that he was once a practicing Catholic, but witnessing too much blood shed over religion and wrongdoing in the church caused him to renounce his vows.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: When the robbers blindside Mike and Beverly. Turned up a notch when the robbers realize Beverly is not a woman but a man dressed in drag.
- Good News, Bad News: After the robbery, Mike and Beverly are both hospitalized. A doctor approaches Edith and Archie in the hallways with news of their conditions. He announces that Mike is all right. However, he then announces that Beverly, despite the efforts of the hospital, didn't make it.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Beverly, who steps in front of Mike to take the blow during the mugging.
- Kick the Dog: Off-screen; Mike reveals later that when the gang of robbers realized an already badly hurt Beverly was transsexual, they unleash their full fury on him, tearing him apart and ultimately killing him
- Nay-Theist: Mike does not worship God, but it is his view of Christianity and God that actually helps him comfort Edith and helps her reaffirm her faith in God. He doesn't admit it explicitly, but one of the things he admires about his mother-in-law is her faith in God and how she uses it for good and that it helps bind the family together, through good and bad. His main point is, just because she doesn't understand something doesn't mean she should give up on it.
- Santa Claus: Or, at least Archie Claus, who reluctantly dons the hat and beard, in an attempt to cheer Edith up. Gloria reveals that Archie had dressed as jolly ol’ Saint Nick when she was a child to help lift her spirits and have fun with her.
- Sole Survivor: Mike, although he and Beverly were the only two, who got attacked and injured in the mugging. Mike's injuries were minor and he survived, while Beverly's were fatal, and he did not.
- Taking the Bullet: Off-screen; In Mike's recall, one robber had a lead pipe and almost bludgeoned Mike with it, but Beverly managed to fight that robber off, thus Mike was spared. However, the incensed robber, and the others, in turn, ganged up on Beverly, and fatally bludgeoned him with the lead pipe.
- Tearjerker: A series codifier in several ways:
- When Archie and Edith are told that Beverly had died of his injuries, Edith's reaction in particular is heart-wrenching. Even Archie is stunned and (likely off-camera) is drawn to tears. In the aftermath, Archie admits to Gloria that he considered Beverly a friend and is heartbroken and outraged over his violent death.
- Earlier in the episode, Beverly reveals to Archie and Edith that he had won a gig doing his drag show at Carnegie Hall. As Archie makes his usual quips (likely putting up his bravado and not wanting to admit he was happy for him), Edith calls Beverly into the kitchen, where he shows him a scrapbook of photos and newspaper clipping about his act and previous performances, moving Beverly to tears. He then reveals, through happy tears, that he considers the Bunkers family and says, "I love you, Edith," perhaps alluding to his circumstances (i.e., he was disowned by his family).
- The chilling moment that Gloria sees that Michael is being ganged up by the robbers and screams out "Michael!"
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: When the robbers realize Beverly is not a female but rather a cross-dressing transsexual, they beat him beyond recognition and stop and run off only when police sirens are heard and the protagonists rush to his and Mike’s aid. Off-screen, but witnessed by Gloria, Archie, Edith and Barney.
- Wholesome Crossdresser: Lori Shannon — a gay male drag performer in real life — makes his third and final appearance as Beverly LaSalle, the cross-dressing friend of the Bunkers and Stivics. By now, Archie has grown (reluctantly) more comfortable around Beverly, but the others were friends right from the start. Archie is genuinely horrified when Beverly is attacked and saddened when it is revealed that he had died from his injuries.
